From the clubs
To list your club's meetings, e-mail to foxvalley@dailyherald.com, or fax to (847) 608-0849.
Elgin United Civic Association: The Elgin United Civic Association, which is comprised of 13 local organizations and veterans groups, just completed its 60th year. In that time, they have raised more than $3 million to assist local citizens in need as well as local organizations in their worthwhile causes.
Their most recent function was its very successful annual steak fry which was held at Veterans of Foreign War Post 1307 on Elgin's west side. Many public officials, members of the judiciary and delegates attended the event.
Current member organizations of the Elgin United Civic Association are: American Legion Post 57, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 54, Elgin Turners, Elgin Trades Council, Elks Lodge 737, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1047, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 799, Marine Corps League Elgin Detachment No. 077, Navy Club of Elgin - Ship 7, Owls Athletic Club, Riverside Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Watch City Post 1307, and VietNow Northern Kane County Chapter.
New officers for the 2007-08 year were recently elected, as well. They are: Frank Podzemek (Moose Lodge 799), president; David Bergholt (Eagles Aerie 1047), vice president; Gary Wehrle (Turners Club), secretary and treasurer; and Donald T. Anderson Sr. (Riverside Club), finance officer.
Audubon Society: The Kane County Chapter of the Audubon Society meets for field trips and bird walks.
On Saturday, take a field trip at 8 a.m. to Nelson Lake. The second Saturday this month Kane County Audubon invites the public to join them as they view the birds of Nelson Lake. This month, they will look for early migrants. You should see a variety of ducks, sandhill cranes, and a number of song birds. Meet in the parking lot by the silo, which is west of Nelson Lake Road about three-quarter mile south of Main Street, and about 2 miles west of Randall Road in Batavia. For details, call Jane McMillan at (847) 622-3216.
On Sept. 8, take a field trip to Marengo Sod Farms at 8:30 a.m. to look for migrating shore birds. Meet and car pool from the Hampshire Forest Preserve. Go north on Route 47 to Route 20 west. Go west on Route 20 about 1.8 miles to Allen Road. Go west on Allen Road. The Hampshire Forest Preserve entrance is about three-quarters of a mile on your right. Park in the first parking lot. For information, call Bob Montgomery at (847) 428-8219.
On Sept. 12, join the annual potluck meeting at 6 p.m. at the Barn at Peck Farm Park in Geneva. Members will share food and photos. For information and what dish to bring, call Bob or Kathy Andrini at (630) 584-8386.
On Sept. 15, take a birding and field trip at 8 a.m. to Lippold Park, 2001 S. River St. in Batavia. Go south of Batavia on Route 25 about 2 miles, cross the railroad tracks and the parking lot will be to the right. For information, call Jon Duerr at (630) 584-5891. Or visit www. kanecountyaudubon.org.
Elgin Junior Woman's Club: The Elgin Junior Woman's Club will hold its next general meeting Tuesday at the Eagles Club, 325 Raymond Road in Gilberts. Social time will be at 6:30 p.m. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
For information, call Betty Ebert-Rylko, membership director, at (847) 464-4151.
GFWC-Elgin Junior Woman's Club is celebrating its 74th year. It is dedicated to providing community service, seeking self-improvement and enriching lives by making new friends.
Giving back to the northern Fox Valley community, the club is comprised of women of different ages, interests, financial backgrounds, political and religious affiliations. The club welcomes women living in the Fox Valley area surrounding the Elgin community. Membership is open to women 18 years and older who live in the Northern Fox Valley area. The club meets in the evenings of the first Tuesday of the month September through June.
Golden K Kiwanis: The Elgin Golden K Kiwanis will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The program will be by Roland Hobson. His topic will be "Raising Alpaca Animals." Visitors are welcome. For information, call (847) 741-7176.
Double Love: The Double Love Mothers of Twins Club is accepting outside sellers for its popular "Children's Clothing, Equipment and Toy Sale" on Sept. 8. If interested in selling, call Leigh at (847) 669-9142. The sale will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with a half-price sale from 11 a.m. to noon, at St. John Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin. It will be cash sales only. Admission is $1.
Friends of the Fox River: Friends of the Fox River is looking for entries from both amateur and professional photographers for the fourth annual photo contest.
The theme is "Your Fox River Watershed." They are looking for entries that showcase the beauty of the watershed; from sweeping landscapes to the intimate quiet moments people experience when enjoying the outdoors.
The contest deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 7. The submitted photo should best convey the theme represented in four different categories: People Experiencing Nature; wildlife; landscapes; and river rescues (includes cleanups, planting, etc.)
The photo contest divisions include two amateur divisions for age 14 to 18 and 19 and older, and a professional division for those entrants who have been paid for photography, graphic design or digital images. A complete set of rules and entry form can be found at www. friendsofthefoxriver.org. For details, call (815) 356-6605.
Hampshire VFW: The Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Hampshire Township building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. New members are welcome. For details, call Lowell Reiser at (847) 683-3443.
Sept. 11 is Patriot Day, so remember to fly your flag half-staff until sunset.
At the Aug. 13 meeting, Commander Lowell Reiser opened the meeting followed by a prayer given by Chaplain Patrick Herrmann and the Salute to the Colors followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. A thank-you was extended to members of the post for their participation in the Coon Creek Days festivities. The veterans and the Navy Band received many favorable comments. The Vietnam Moving Wall will be on display at Sycamore Park Sept. 13-16. If members have not returned their raffle tickets it would be appreciated that returns be made at the earliest convenience. Monetary donation was made to Operation Uplink for phone cards for service personnel. Four boxes have been sent to Iraq including miscellaneous items and videos donated by Video Express and Patricia and Michael Ream which was greatly appreciated.
Miscellaneous articles of household, personal items and clothing have been delivered to Transitional Living Services in Hebron for the veterans. The delivery included a trailer load and two pickup truckloads.
VFW Post 8043 and Ladies Auxiliary will participate in the Burlington Fall Fest parade on Sept. 9. The membership drive is under way for the year 2007-08. New members are welcome. For information call Reiser at (847) 683-3443.
VFW Post 8043 will participate in the Northern Illinois Education Day on Sept. 14. Small flags and bookmarks will be distributed. Flags for the new classrooms at the Hampshire Park District Preschool have arrived and will be presented before the beginning of the new school year. Dates to remember include the: Sept. 2, 1945 -- V.J. Day-Japan signed formal agreement and Sept. 3 -- Labor Day.
Hampshire VFW Auxiliary: The Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 Ladies Auxiliary will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Hampshire Township building, 100 Center St., Hampshire. New members are welcome.
At the Aug. 13 meeting, president Jerrilynne Partlo led the opening ritual followed by prayer by Chaplain Elaine Setter, the Pledge of Allegiance and group singing of "God Bless America, led by musician Velda Grimes.
Department of Illinois President Donna Walker said the theme for the coming year is "Catch the Spirit in Serving Our Veterans." A hospital pledge was made for the coming year and increased from previous year. A donation was made to Operation Uplink program to provide phone cards for servicemen and women. Hospital chairwoman Doris Klock gave a report on the clothing donations sent for veterans at Elgin Mental Health Center Clinic and Transitional Living Services in Hebron, with hospital credits of $857.50. Audit report was approved and placed on file by trustee Joyce Deutsch. Discussion was held in regards to the excellent patriotic response in the Coon Creek Day parade and member Hanne Soderberg told the members about a out-of-state homecoming that she had attended for her grandson and the positive response of the people in attendance.
The Auxiliary will have its first garage sale on Sept. 7-8 to benefit the many auxiliary sponsored programs. The garage sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pearl Herrmann house, 213 E. Jefferson St. in Hampshire.
A membership drive for the coming year is under way. The Auxiliary welcomes new members. For eligibility requirements, call Arlene at (847) 683-3443. Reminder to members to send in their dues and return raffle tickets at earliest convenience. The charter was draped in memory of Arminta Tegtman, past Auxiliary president and charter member, a memorial service by auxiliary members was conducted at the funeral home. She had been a member since 1948.
Elgin Woman's Club: The Elgin Woman's Club will open its 2007-08 season with its first meeting and program of the year at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in the Cellar Pub at Oak Crest and Atrium Apartments, 204 S. State St., Elgin.
The program, which will be presented by Susan Cincinelli, executive director, will feature a presentation on the history of Oak Crest, which was founded in 1904 by George and Mary Lord. Tours of the historic building will be offered at the end of her presentation. A short business meeting will be held prior to the program and lunch. Parking is available in the rear of the building, however members may be dropped off in front, where a ramp is available.
In addition, club members will be recognized for long time EWC membership and birthdays for the months of June through September will be celebrated at the luncheon. Cost for the September luncheon is $20, payable by check at the door the day of the meeting. Members are asked to make reservations no later than Sept. 5, by calling the EWC hotline at (847) 622-3614.
Henpeck HEA: The Henpeck Unit of Kane County Homemakers Education Association does not meet in August. The next meeting will begin with lunch at noon Sept. 11 at the home of Mary Ebert in Kaneville. Plans for the meetings, lessons, etc. for 2007-08 year will be decided at that time. Guests are welcome; call (630) 557-2137 for details and directions.
Membership in HEA is open to men and women of any age regardless of race, creed or national origin. For information about the organization and a free one-year membership in the Henpeck Unit, call Peggy Gross at (847) 683-3826 or Mary Ann Harter at (847) 683-3632.
NARFE: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 11. Chapter 2181 meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month in the meeting room at the American Legion, 820 N. Liberty St. (Route 25) in Elgin.
Lunch is available in the American Legion lunch room prior to the meeting.
This month, members are invited to listen to Dr. Dana Landon speak about unlocking the combination of pain and depression. Coffee and homemade cake will be served after the meeting.
Join NARFE to know what is going on regarding services and benefits and to support NARFE legislation goals to help save your existing benefits. Active and retired employees, spouses and widowed spouses from all surrounding areas who are interested in becoming a member and receiving the monthly NARFE Retirement Life magazine are welcome to attend the meeting. For details, call Nick at (847) 741-5772.
Guardian Angels: Guardian Angels Animal Rescue of Fox Valley will have its third annual fundraising garage sale and cat adoption from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 14-16 at 421 Martin Drive in South Elgin.
This local non-profit rescues unwanted feral cats and kittens. If you have anything that you would like to donate for this sale, call (847) 931-4535.
All proceeds provide medical aid, spaying and neutering, and care for the overwhelming amount of unwanted feral cats and kittens within the Fox Valley.
If anyone would like to make a cash donation you can send it to Guardian Angels Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 595, South Elgin, IL 60177.
They also have a Senior Foster Home Program where they place an adult cat in a home with a senior. The group will provide any medical care needed. If for any reason, they are unable to care for the foster cat, they would take it back. Any senior who would like some company and is willing to share a home with an adult cats can call (847) 931-4535.
Illinois Fox Valley SHRM: On Sept. 20, the Illinois Fox Valley chapter of Society of Human Resource Management welcomes Bill Bergstrom from Terryberry Company as its guest speaker. He will be addressing strategies for aligning employee recognition with corporate objectives. Illinois Fox Valley SHRM meets the third Thursday of every month at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.
The luncheon offers versatile programs directed toward the human resources professional. Registration is at 11:15 a.m. and the meeting adjourns at 1 p.m. Interested parties can call (847) 289-7170. The cost for Illinois Fox Valley SHRM members is $20 or $40 for non-members.
Plato Center HEA: The Plato Center Unit of the Homemakers Education Association will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Plato Township Hall, 10N942 Rippburger Road in Plato Center. For membership information, call the county office at (630) 584-6166. For the Plato Center meeting, call Joan at (847) 931-8120.